Douwe Eisenga
Encyclopedia
Douwe Eisenga is a Dutch composer. His most known work is Requiem Aeternam 1953, composed on an occasion of the 50th North Sea flood of 1953
anniversary.
Eisenga is a self-taught musician and has begun composing music for theatre and films in 1980s. From 1990 to 1996, he studied composition with Julius Ament and Wim Dirriwachter at Prins Claus Conservatorium
in Groningen.
In the last years, he composed various works for musical ensembles as Xenakis Ensemble
, Francis B. Quartet or the pianists Gerard Bouwhuis and Marcel Worms. In 1999, his CD Rivius II recorded by pianist Rien Balkenende was published. Then, in 2001, his piece Growing worm, stabbing his back-part slowly into the blues was published on his CD More new blues for piano. In the same years Eisenga appeared in Vlissingen to make premiere performance of Kabaal (Kabbalah
), his chamber music piece about Michiel de Ruyter
, at the Zeeland Nazomer Festival (Zeeland Autumn Festival).
In 2003, his work Requiem Aeternam 1953, a composition for choir and orchestra, was premiered at the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the North Sea flood of 1953
. In 2004, a large part of his works was premiered at a concert in the Center for New Music in Zeeland.
Eisenga's work has roots in pop music of his generation. He makes no difference between pop songs, twelve-tone techniques, baroque music or eastern musical patterns and manages to combine these elements in his compositions.
From 1993, Eisenga lives in Zeeland
.
North Sea flood of 1953
The 1953 North Sea flood was a major flood caused by a heavy storm, that occurred on the night of Saturday 31 January 1953 and morning of 1 February 1953. The floods struck the Netherlands, Belgium, England and Scotland.A combination of a high spring tide and a severe European windstorm caused a...
anniversary.
Eisenga is a self-taught musician and has begun composing music for theatre and films in 1980s. From 1990 to 1996, he studied composition with Julius Ament and Wim Dirriwachter at Prins Claus Conservatorium
Prins Claus Conservatorium
The Prins Claus Conservatorium is one of the nine conservatoires in the Netherlands. It is one of the schools of the Hanze University Groningen located in the city of Groningen....
in Groningen.
In the last years, he composed various works for musical ensembles as Xenakis Ensemble
Xenakis Ensemble
The Xenakis Ensemble is a Dutch ensemble dedicated to the performance of contemporary classical music. Based in Middelburg, it is known as one of the few ensembles specializing in the works of the composer Iannis Xenakis...
, Francis B. Quartet or the pianists Gerard Bouwhuis and Marcel Worms. In 1999, his CD Rivius II recorded by pianist Rien Balkenende was published. Then, in 2001, his piece Growing worm, stabbing his back-part slowly into the blues was published on his CD More new blues for piano. In the same years Eisenga appeared in Vlissingen to make premiere performance of Kabaal (Kabbalah
Kabbalah
Kabbalah/Kabala is a discipline and school of thought concerned with the esoteric aspect of Rabbinic Judaism. It was systematized in 11th-13th century Hachmei Provence and Spain, and again after the Expulsion from Spain, in 16th century Ottoman Palestine...
), his chamber music piece about Michiel de Ruyter
Michiel de Ruyter
Michiel Adriaenszoon de Ruyter is the most famous and one of the most skilled admirals in Dutch history. De Ruyter is most famous for his role in the Anglo-Dutch Wars of the 17th century. He fought the English and French and scored several major victories against them, the best known probably...
, at the Zeeland Nazomer Festival (Zeeland Autumn Festival).
In 2003, his work Requiem Aeternam 1953, a composition for choir and orchestra, was premiered at the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the North Sea flood of 1953
North Sea flood of 1953
The 1953 North Sea flood was a major flood caused by a heavy storm, that occurred on the night of Saturday 31 January 1953 and morning of 1 February 1953. The floods struck the Netherlands, Belgium, England and Scotland.A combination of a high spring tide and a severe European windstorm caused a...
. In 2004, a large part of his works was premiered at a concert in the Center for New Music in Zeeland.
Eisenga's work has roots in pop music of his generation. He makes no difference between pop songs, twelve-tone techniques, baroque music or eastern musical patterns and manages to combine these elements in his compositions.
From 1993, Eisenga lives in Zeeland
Zeeland
Zeeland , also called Zealand in English, is the westernmost province of the Netherlands. The province, located in the south-west of the country, consists of a number of islands and a strip bordering Belgium. Its capital is Middelburg. With a population of about 380,000, its area is about...
.